Unique design and bright paintwork – the Volkswagen SP 2 was an instant eye-catcher. This rear-engined flat-roof coupé was built from 1971 to 1976 to serve the Brazilian market. The then Volkswagen do Brasil boss Rudolf Leiding initiated the project and played a major role in co-designing the two-seater, which is still considered to be a particularly well-designed Volkswagen with a classic air-cooled rear engine.

Development began in 1969; the SP 1 and SP 2 coupé duo were explicitly not intended for export; the two-seaters were built on a platform based on the Brazilian Volkswagen 1600 chassis and powered by Type 3 flat-four engines. The abbreviation “SP” stands for São Paulo, the Volkswagen do Brasil car plant location.

The SP 2 was built from 1972 to 1976 with 10,031 cars produced. These sporty two-seaters were available for 29,700 Cruzeiros each (around 16,150 deutschmarks at the time) and came with a 1,678 cc four-cylinder boxer engine delivering 48 kW/65 bhp and a top speed of 161 km/h.

We are currently showcasing one of these coupés built in 1976 in our highlight area at the ZeitHaus museum. Come and take a look!